Shiralie Chaturvedi
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In something truly inspiring and iconic, a woman has made history by becoming the first observant Sikh to graduate from the US Military Academy.
A non-Trump story from West Point today:
Anmol Narang is first observant Sikh ever to graduate.
“The chaplain approached me and said, ‘You have “unidentified” for a religious preference.’ I said ‘That’s because Sikhism wasn’t on the list to include it.’” https://t.co/JvrmhiV8ma
— Annie Karni (@anniekarni) June 13, 2020
As per CNN, Anmol Narang is the academy’s first observant Sikh. She described the honour as “an incredible feeling”, and further added that,
It’s a humbling experience, I have never worked harder for anything in my life. Being a Sikh woman is a very important part of my identity and if my experience can play a small role in being an inspiration for others, regardless of career field, that will be wonderful.
Back in 1987, Congress had passed a law prohibiting religious communities from practicing certain articles of their faith while serving in the US military. Hence, for 30 years Sikh members were not allowed to practice core tenets of their religion like naturally growing hair and turbans. This however was challenged, and changed as in 2017, the Army updated its rules governing religious liberties.
